Watching Alexander Isak lead Sweden’s attack in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Tunisia, one thought kept returning to mind.
This is the player Arne Slot rarely had available last season.
The Swedish striker delivered a complete centre-forward performance, scoring, creating problems throughout the contest and reminding everyone why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous forwards in world football.
For Liverpool supporters, it was exciting.
For Arne Slot, it may also have been slightly frustrating.
Because the version of Isak Sweden enjoyed against Tunisia was largely unavailable to him during Liverpool’s difficult title defence.
The Isak Liverpool Hardly Saw
When Liverpool signed Isak, supporters expected a forward capable of transforming matches.
A player with pace, movement, intelligence and elite finishing ability.
Unfortunately, circumstances intervened.
His horrific leg break and the lengthy rehabilitation process that followed deprived Liverpool of a fully fit Alexander Isak for much of the season.
Even when he returned, there were understandable concerns surrounding fitness, sharpness and confidence.
Supporters saw flashes of quality.
Moments that hinted at what was possible.
But they rarely saw the complete package.
Tunisia Saw the Real Alexander Isak
Against Tunisia, however, everything appeared to click.
Isak looked sharp.
He looked powerful.
And perhaps most importantly, he looked fully fit.
The Swedish striker constantly stretched the opposition defence with intelligent movement, linked play effectively and showed the composure in front of goal that has made him one of Europe’s most highly-rated forwards.
This was not simply a goalscoring display.
It was the performance of a player capable of leading an attack.
A player capable of making those around him better.
And a player capable of carrying a team through difficult moments.
Why Fitness Changes Everything
Elite forwards influence far more than the scoresheet.
A fully fit Isak changes the way opponents defend.
He creates space for team-mates.
He forces defenders to retreat.
He offers a reliable focal point that allows the rest of the attack to function more effectively.
Those qualities were often missing from Liverpool’s game last season.
Not because Isak lacks them.
But because circumstances prevented him from consistently displaying them.
Was Slot Unlucky?
There were certainly tactical issues during Liverpool’s disappointing campaign.
Nobody would deny that.
However, it is also fair to acknowledge that losing a striker of Isak’s calibre for significant periods would impact any manager.
Very few teams lose one of their most important attacking players and remain unaffected.
Watching him dominate Tunisia only reinforces that point.
Because the player Sweden enjoyed on the World Cup stage was not the player Liverpool had available for large stretches of last season.
A Huge Opportunity for Iraola
The encouraging aspect for Liverpool supporters is what comes next.
Andoni Iraola now appears set to inherit a fully fit Alexander Isak.
If the striker can maintain the level he showed against Tunisia, Liverpool’s new head coach may finally have the world-class centre-forward that Slot was denied.
That should excite everyone connected with the club.
Because if this World Cup performance is a sign of what lies ahead, Liverpool supporters may finally be about to see the real Alexander Isak in a red shirt.
And that could change everything.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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